Opinion

Culture

Review: O’Keeffe and Moore create a cohesive exhibit

Sadie Hopkins | December 8

Starting in September, The Albuquerque Art Museum has highlighted artists Georgia O’Keeffe and Henry Moore. Although these artists did not work together, the similarities in their work create a cohesive and visually fascinating experience that locals and visitors alike will enjoy. The museum – in addition to their permanently housed works – frequently builds temporary exhibits to highlight artists, eras or movements in fine art.  The rotating exhibits create a refreshing and unique experience for every visit, especially those that offer guests something other than the permanent fine art installations.

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Culture

Letter: A tribute to Natalie Jude’s kindness and capacity for love

Zara Roy | December 4

Monday, Dec. 4 would have been the 21st birthday of former Daily Lobo editor Natalie Jude. The loss of Natalie on March 26, 2023 was a devastating blow to all that knew her kind soul and radiating goodness – leaving an ever-filling well of sadness for the many people whose lives she touched. I am honored to have met her and to have been able to call her a friend for the time I was able to. I first met Natalie when we started at the paper at the same time in the fall semester of 2021. We became good friends that spring and lived together in bleak campus housing for part of that summer. She was a beautiful soul with bright, expressive eyes and a magnetic personality. She was a truly good person, capable of kindness even in circumstances which would challenge the patience and goodness of a saint.

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Opinion

OPINION: A state away: a photographer's view of the nature and wildlife of Colorado

Mackenzie Schwartz | November 27

Colorado is a beautiful place to view the Rocky Mountains and wildlife. Being able to capture the little details in Colorado is gorgeous, from the beautiful birds that stand on the rocks to the ladybugs that crawl on the plants. Going on a walk at different parks around Colorado is an adventure each time. 

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Opinion

The Marvels was indeed a marvel

Elizabeth Secor | November 20

I will admit I did not originally want to see “The Marvels.” I have been feeling a bit of Marvel Cinematic Universe burnout with the sheer number of productions. However, some free time sent me on my merry way to see the film, and I highly recommend it.  “The Marvels” might be one of my favorite releases this year, ranking leagues above “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantamania.” The movie felt like it had the humor and emotion that has been missing from recent films and it carved a path for the young Avengers in the future. 

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Culture

OPINION: UNM’S MidWeek Movie showing: Barbie (2023)

Kat Gomez | November 15

The  University of New Mexico had yet another movie showing with a successful  turnout. People dressed in pink were greeting one another with “Hi  Barbie!” as they sat down for  UNM’s Midweek Movie showing of “Barbie”  (2023). This movie was the second to last movie for the semester. Directed by Greta Gerwig, “Barbie” (2023) is already considered a  classic to viewers and has become a staple for positive representation  for women in the modern world.

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Opinion

OPINION: 2023 men’s basketball conference predictions

Francesca Cicconetti | October 30

Last season, the Lobos were 8-10 in conference play and 22-12 overall. In the Mountain West Preseason Poll, the Lobos were selected to finish third this season. Under Head Coach Richard Pitino and assistant coaches, the University of New Mexico looks promising for the upcoming season. 

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Opinion

REVIEW: Shinedown brings a flying piano to Isleta Amphitheater

BillyJack Davidson | October 30

  Isleta Amphitheater’s season came to a close on the evening of Oct. 18 with an incredibly rockin’ show. Shinedown was the forerunner for “The Revolutions Live Tour,”  bringing with them Spiritbox and Papa Roach.  All of them cranked their amps up to 11.  Each band put on an exceptional performance alongside the music — with an array of psychedelic backdrops, interactive lighting and pyrotechnics that made the ground jump.

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Opinion

OPINION: Albuquerque's Haunted Attractions

Sadie Hopkins | October 30

 Every city has their extensive lore, whether it be exclusive to long-time residents or made available to the world through legend. New Mexico is recognized as an especially haunted state, according to the Travel Channel. It is home to many ghost towns that have gained popularity with paranormal investigators nationwide, but Albuquerque also has a fascinating history of paranormal curiosities for residents and visitors to discover. There are two locations in Albuquerque’s Historic Old Town that are rumored –  or in some cases, adamantly believed – to be haunted.

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Opinion

REVIEW: “SAW X” – a mind-bending journey

Mel Treat | October 18

  This entry to the controversial “Saw” series, ironically, breathes new life into the franchise.  The movie follows the notorious serial killer, John “Jigsaw ‘’ Kramer (Tobin Bell), to Mexico for a new cancer treatment.  The film has a perfect combination of fanfare and casual viewer content. It keeps the most fun aspects of the series: the wild editing, the quick cuts and gut wrenching sounds that combine for a visceral reaction that puts you in the shoes of Jigsaw’s victims. 

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Opinion

REVIEW: “Men” is a surreal, bizarre deep dive into trauma

Detroit Kallunki | October 18

From the first minutes of “Men,” the atmosphere is deeply unsettling despite the audience not knowing exactly what is wrong – putting the viewer in the shoes of the recently widowed Harper (Jessie Buckley). In “Men” (2022), directed by Alex Garland, Harper visits an isolated village to spend some time alone healing after the death of her husband. Through a series of flashbacks to the night he died, the audience discovers that he became increasingly abusive which culminated in his own accidental death. As Harper copes with surviving domestic violence and witnessing the death of her husband, she meets a series of uncannily similar men, all played by Rory Kinnear.

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Opinion

REVIEW: “Psycho” was the best thing to happen to horror

Lily Alexander | October 18

  The greatest horror film plot twist of all time took place in 1960 with the spin of a chair. “Psycho,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is irrefutably a classic. It follows secretary Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) who is caught in a thunderstorm while on the run with stolen cash. Exhausted, she stops at Bates Motel for the night, which proves to be a fatal mistake.  The performances are electric. Leigh’s growing anxiety as the plot unfolds is palpable through the screen 63 years later. 

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Opinion

REVIEW: October starts off with Wilco

BillyJack Davidson | October 18

October is arguably Albuquerque's biggest month of the year, thanks to Balloon Fiesta. There was no better way to kick it off than to see a rock ‘n’ roll show.  On the night of October 1, Wilco – an alternative rock band – performed at the Kiva Auditorium to a sold out crowd of enthusiastic fans. The Kiva Auditorium is located in the Albuquerque Convention Center. It offers a calm and relaxing venue with comfortable seating and a wide stage for all to see, but fans found no time to sit during their performance; everyone couldn’t help but stand and dance. The audience was full of a wide range of ages from folks who have known Wilco their whole life to parents bringing their kids to see the show for the first time.

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Opinion

OPINION: Upcoming women’s basketball season preview

Rodney Prunty | October 16

Last season, the Lobo women’s basketball team finished with a record of 21-13. In Mike Bradbury’s seventh season as Head Coach, it was a slight drop off compared to the 2021-2022 season. Despite that, Bradbury was offered a five-year $275,000 contract extension this past May, keeping him in charge through 2028. Last year, the Lobo’s production was unbelievable, scoring 75.7 points per game – the second most in the conference. Along with that, they were efficient — scoring a top thee field goal, three point and free throw percentage in the conference. A majority of last season’s offense came from University of New Mexico’s four senior starters — Amaya Brown, LaTascya Duff, LaTora Duff and Shaiquel McGruder. Together they combined for 46.5 points per game and were key players in all components of the Lobo’s system.

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Opinion

OPINION: Childhood movies that haunt me all fall

Elizabeth Secor | October 9

 Everyone has movies from their childhood that have stuck with them – they are often mildly traumatizing or outright terrible. Three of my favorite fall scary movies fit that description: “Coraline,” “Monster House” and “Practical Magic.” 

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Opinion

LETTER: An open letter to the UNM administration and Athletics Department

Kyrene Maska | September 18

I am writing – as both a University of New Mexico employee and New Mexico State University alumni – to express my deep frustration and disappointment with the UNM Athletics Department regarding the decision to charge the NMSU Pride Marching Band to attend the NM State versus New Mexico football game. I feel this way for a number of reasons.

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Opinion

EDITORIAL: A dystopian, all-American occurrence

Maddie Pukite | September 11

  Wednesday night, Froylan Villegas, an 11-year-old boy, died near campus outside of an Isotopes game — a dystopian, all-American occurrence. I came back to Lobo Village, confronted by cop cars and a handful of “Are you safe?” texts from my roommates. Avenida Ceaser Chavez Rd. and University Blvd. are closed. Just before, student housing was put under lockdown by speakers blaring orders outside, my roomates said. Yet the dinner is cooked, the music is played and my Wednesday evening continues. How disgustingly dystopian, I guess.

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Opinion

OPINION: September festivities not to miss

Sydney Walker | September 5

  September is upon us and that means it’s the start of the fall festival season. School is now in session and temperatures this summer were exceptionally high. September marks a turning of the seasons and a reprieve of the summer heat – the perfect time for friends and family to celebrate all the things New Mexico has to offer. Here is a list of a few local festivals and fairs happening throughout the month that are sure to be fun, immersive and educational.

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Opinion

REVIEW: Snoop Dogg’s Highschool Reunion tour brings volume to ABQ

BillyJack Davidson | August 27

  It brought a bustle of positive energy, great music and a wide arrangement of entertainment; Snoop Dogg’s Highschool Reunion tour began this past June. On Tuesday, Aug. 21, he came to the Land of Enchantment. The tour has a hit line-up of artists including Wiz Khalifa, Warren G, DJ Drama, Berner, Too $hort and headliner Snoop Dogg. It had been six years since Snoop Dogg was last in  Albuquerque, but the crowd made sure to show him love with constant dancing, singing and hollering. It was an electric feeling that was impossible to ignore.

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Opinion

LETTER: Study shows $1 billion potential bill for oil and gas clean up without BLM rule change

Amber Wallin | August 20

  From a young age, we teach our children the importance of taking responsibility for their actions and cleaning up after themselves when they make a mess. We should expect the same from the oil and gas industry working in New Mexico. But for far too long, antiquated policies under the current leasing system have left our families on the hook to pay to clean up messes left behind by bankrupt oil and gas companies – messes involving orphaned wells with decaying and leaking infrastructure that can pollute our air and water. This has robbed our communities of tax dollars that could have been put to use improving our children’s classrooms and our hospitals and roadways.

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Opinion

REVIEW: A Norse-inspired fantasy trilogy to enchant

Sydney Walker | August 20

  If you are prone to buying and reading books because TikTok said so, we need to be friends. A few weeks ago, a book by John Gwynne caught my eye and the giant dragon on the cover for “The Shadow of the Gods” sold me. Gwynne is no stranger to adult fantasy books. He has written two lengthy fantasy series prior to “The Bloodsworn Trilogy.” The trilogy, so far, only contains “The Shadow of the Gods” and “The Hunger of the Gods.” When I tell you I ate them for breakfast, lunch and dinner for two weeks straight, I mean it.